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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 21, 2007 22:36:19 GMT -5
The day of the wedding was upon us, and as my habit I was up early, sifting through the forms engrained into me from childhood of stretching and limbering, then adding in a quarterstaff and finally a sword. In truth it took less than an hour, though by the time it were done I was sweating and feeling well, my mind awake and sharpened.
D'Angeline nobility was on me today; I couldn't be merely Decimus.
I bathed and readied myself, choosing for this day not to partake in Alban clothing, but instead of d'Angeline finery. A blue shirt sat atop tan breeches, and my cerimonial sword was belted to my side.
The carriage ride to Heliotrope was short in the grand scheme, and as it pulled up I opened the door and stepped out, making my way up and entering unaided. Once inside it was as it had been before: I gave my name and who I was here to see, only this time I was left waiting while the young adept trotted off down the hall, searching for Geraldine to accompany me.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 22, 2007 10:11:27 GMT -5
I was in my room, finishing my preparations. A dress, with a bustier of lace that was secured with lacings at my back and on either sides of my chest, flowing skirts of turquoise was my attire for the evening. I had spent more than usual, but there was reason for it: I liked Decimus very much, and as he had given me full leave to dress as I wished, unlike other patrons, I had elected to be of my very best presentation for him.
Madeline had helped me curl my hair into loose locks that set in a high chignon, falling on either side of it, and my shoulders and neck were bare of it all, save my signature jewelry, discreet golden earrings from Kriti and a small chain whose pendant, a simple star, rested between my breasts.
I was putting on my slippers when the call came, and I smiled, happy to at last see him again. I found him at the door, dressed soberly but regal nonetheless, sublimely tall and powerful, the swirls on his face played up by the color of his shirt. I curtsied pleasantly, and said, “It’s good to see you again, My Lord.”
Why, he’d never given me leave to call him by name, but it mattered little – I adored him nonetheless.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 23, 2007 12:44:28 GMT -5
I turned my head as I heard the tell-tale soft footfalls of an approaching woman, and happily was greeted by the sight of Geraldine in deep purple. "You as well, my pretty adept," I said in return, giving her an easily smile.
Stepping up to her, I took her hand and bent over it, kissing the skin behind her knuckles. "You look beautiful," I said as I straightened, my eyes taking her in again. "It's a good thing you didn't choose white - the bride herself may well be envious."
"Ready to go?" I asked, offering my arm.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 23, 2007 12:53:32 GMT -5
I could not fight off the blush that colored my cheeks as Decimus complimented me with an ease that I did not doubt was the source of envy for many. "Thank you, My Lord," I replied, my eyes sparkling with the pleasure of seeing him again.
I gave a little shiver for the kiss he reverently deposited on my fingertips, the hint of lips my hand had felt already a deep promise. I grinned, as I took his arm, and replied to his compliment, eyes full of mirth, "I expected we were not riding into the sunset today. If I hadn't, I may have chosen otherwise."
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 23, 2007 15:03:41 GMT -5
"Alas no," I said with a grin as I led her out of Heliotrop and towards my waiting carriage. "I'm sorry, my lady, but obligations would have it otherwise." The door was held open for us as we neared it, though I ignored it for the second to stop Geraldine as we walked, taking her lithe body into my arms. "But that doesn't mean I won't steal you away tonight." I said teasingly, leaning down and giving her lips a kiss.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Former Heliotrope adept; Fully marqued
Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 23, 2007 17:21:31 GMT -5
I smiled, as Decimus' lips touched mine, and said, "It is all as it should be, My sweet Lord," as my lips pressed against his. His body felt wonderful against mine, and I smiled brightly. He was so sweet and so handsome - oh, sweet mother Naamah had me blessed this day.
I let my body be pressed against his, and caressed the base of his neck softly, letting out a quiet sigh of contentment under the kiss.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 23, 2007 22:46:42 GMT -5
Her body pressed unabashedly into me, surprising me for a moment. Memories of the contracting flowed in my head, though, and I brought my arm around her fully, bringing us together more for a moment. With a reluctant break of the kiss I smiled, then abruptly leaned down and hooked my arm under her knees, carrying her the remaining steps to the carriage.
"We'll never make it to the wedding at this rate," I said, grinning. Gingerly I set her down so her slippered feet were touching the inside of the carriage, though I didn't move my arms or body until I was well sure she was stable.
Once she moved into the carriage I followed and the door was shut behind us, and I sat back as the carriage began to roll forward.
On to the wedding.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 24, 2007 2:57:04 GMT -5
All the embarrassment I could have felt at his visible surprise was swept off in his embrace, and forgotten. The kiss was sublime, but I mourned for its shortness, though I knew more would come. That was again drowned in another surprise, as my patron took me up in his arms, and I let out a startled giggle for it. He was right - I could have let him kiss me for a long, long time.
When the carriage door was closed on us, I smiled, and whispered, "I'm sorry if I like kissing you. I promise to behave," I added, my grin a bit mischievously.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 24, 2007 13:07:32 GMT -5
I grinned and reclined in my seat, watching her as she sat across from me. "Don't be sorry; I rather like it when you kiss me too. I just wasn't expecting such a warm reception." Reception? I was nearly sure that was the right word. Maybe it was deception... Ah hells. Hooking my arms around the seat to either side of me, I let my gaze run over her, truly admiring how she fit into the dress and how the color played up her pretty eyes. "How have you been since we last met?"
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 24, 2007 13:19:26 GMT -5
The vivid memory of a sensation flashed through my mind - a smacking sound against my cheek, and throbbing pain. Thank Elua, I was unmarked. But it had hurt, both my pride and my face. Such thoughts though are not shared at the onset of an assignation, and thus I smiled, and said, "Well, My Lord. And better now," I added, blushing a little.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 24, 2007 13:58:53 GMT -5
I was no fool; something altered in her. I could see it in her eyes, no matter how she tried to mask it, a flash of deep pain, mayhap humiliation. I wasn't able enough to read it correctly, but something was amiss. It was the beginning of the day though and I wouldn't pressure her on it, wouldn't make her tell me.
"I'm glad to hear you're doing better than just well," I said with a smile. "You do look very lovely today. I don't know how you d'Angelines manage to make looking so regal and elegant so easy - all I really did was pick out a pair of breeches and a shirt, and even then my maid had to look it over to make sure I didn't pick something that would be horrendous."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 24, 2007 19:54:21 GMT -5
I smiled, giving him a gentle thanks for his compliment. "I think you look very elegant yourself, My Lord," I replied sincerely before I broke out in jest. "Your maid may yet have a future in picking clothes for the nobles and peers of the city. Perhaps it would be wise to look for a replacement?"
My eyes glazed over his handsome form - oh, he was very, very pleasant to look at, and well dressed. He was shortchanging himself.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 27, 2007 6:45:41 GMT -5
I laughed, unable to restrain myself with her words. "Aye, mayhap I should rethink her being around overlong." The seat next to her beckoned me and I nearly heeded the call, though I remained where I was for another moment so I could look at her. "That's it, then. Whenever we manage to ride away to Alba, you'll have to help pick out my clothes lest I embarrass you from my lack of clothing skills."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 27, 2007 6:49:40 GMT -5
I grinned, laughing lightly. "Well, that's rather amusing," I said, "Because I've never picked clothes for anyone, well... for anyone male, that is. I will do my best, though," I added, smiling merrily. I looked at him from under my eyelashes, "Besides... I would be hard pressed to know anything about clothing requirements in Alba, or to be embarrassed by your presence, for that matter."
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 27, 2007 16:02:03 GMT -5
I laughed again, my amusement easily sparked this day. "I don't doubt that I'd be able to embarrass even you, even with your lack of knowledge of Alban attire and your forgiving nature." I leaned forward, smiling still, and touched her knee, my finding her kneecap and tracing along it over the fabric of her dress. "You, on the other hand, would sparkle and shine, and not simply for your d'Angeline beauty."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 28, 2007 2:42:20 GMT -5
I blushed, smiling still, though my eyes stayed on my knee, on his hand, which I found beautiful and large, strong, callused. It seemed I attracted patrons that were of stature, these days. Decimus and Tabien were making Aramis look puny, I thought amusedly. His touch was enticing, and I smiled demurely, looking up, “Thank you, My Lord. Though I have no doubt Alban women would outshine me any day, if their male versions are any indication.” That was no lie – Decimus, I liked very much. He was fun, handsome, and good. I had no doubt he was quite the catch, in his country.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 29, 2007 7:03:25 GMT -5
"And you do not do yourself justice," I commented, watching her another long moment. I wondered again at her level of self confidence, though thus far it mattered little; she was beautiful, seemingly happy and at ease, and willing to put up with me. I was still well pleased with the entire situation.
Shifting seats, I settled in next to her as the carriage bumped gently along the road. "Besides, I'm half d'Angeline myself through both my grandfathers. My paternal grandfather met his bride through the war of the Skaldi, and my maternal..." I trailed off, thinking on it. "Well, before then, I suppose, but not by too long."
Smiling, I placed my arm over the back of her seat, settling myself back into the cushioned bench. "I'd have to keep you bound to my side in Alba, you know. Beat off all of your more driven admirers with a stick to keep you from being carted off."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 29, 2007 7:22:34 GMT -5
I’d listened to Decimus with interest, my curiosity most sparked… by the one thing he did not say. His maternal grandfather? It seemed to draw him to dreams, and I let him relish his silence, enjoying myself the pleasure I took in his face, in his features that spelled out so much…
“It sounds like you are from a line of warriors yourself, My Lord,” I said, turning to look at him, now that he was at my side. “I guess that would explain your inclination to beat the poor little ones who would cling to me. The very vast majority of my admirers is about one fifth of your size, you know,” I said, grinning amusedly.
I didn’t think much on it – but the recent turn of events… I’d still said the truth though – the vast majority of my admiring fans were very short of size, and babbled with voices like a million butterflies.
His gesture wasn’t unnoticed – his arm was over me, I was getting surrounded with his warmth. I smiled brightly – I had missed him.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 29, 2007 11:18:55 GMT -5
I smiled, looking at her as she turned to face me. "There are a few soldiers on my side, but Albans on a whole know how to wield a weapon, even small children."
Her hair stirred slightly with a breeze from an open window, caressing along her neck and drawing my attention to it. With a careful hand, I gently drew my fingers over that spot of her neck, trying to keep myself from kissing it away. "Your admirers of the legal age are likely jealous of me this day, I don't doubt."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Thou, and no other.
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 29, 2007 11:42:30 GMT -5
I smiled, and said, "About as much as yours are of me, I wager," I replied gently.
I looked at him, and asked, "So when did you start wielding a weapon?"
It seemed to me it was horribly early, to start weilding at a young age, but then again... didn't Cassilines train at the age of nine? It was just so foreign to me, I had trouble fathoming it.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 29, 2007 12:02:53 GMT -5
"I began with sticks when I was old enough to pick one up," I said, leaning back again, my hand returning to the seat behind her. "Not defensive, but... Bloody hells." I grunted, having forgotten the word when it dawned on me that I swore aloud and not in my head. I sighed. "Forgive me; I should have listened more to my lessons on the d'Angeline language growing up. I never went anywhere save for just into Kusheth growing up, and merely skipped along the border during my time with the army... I've needed it little until I came to the City."
I smiled, going back to what I was speaking of, though altering what I had said slightly to fit my forgotten knowledge. "I learned how to defend myself with it, then to defend others, not to attack."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 29, 2007 12:27:06 GMT -5
I nodded, understanding, grinning as he slipped, though I waved away the little curse he'd dropped. Very subtly, I shifted against the seat, my face still flushed from his little touch, and allowed my hair to brush, seemingly inadvertently, against his hand.
"Your mastery of D'Angeline is far better than the Cruithne I know, please," I said softly. And closing the matter, I said, "That fits the pattern of beating my army of admirers with a stick perfectly. Mayhap you were destined for such endeavors at birth," I jested.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 30, 2007 15:01:51 GMT -5
The brush of her hand made me turn my palm towards it slightly, lacing my fingers through her silky locks, but always loose enough that there was no tug or pull on her roots. The last thing I wanted to do was harm her. "Maybe I was," I said, smiling broadly for her tease. "I might need a stockpile of sticks though to fight off those who would have you."
I grinned, the mental image of Geraldine behind me as I wielded a two foot long slender stick at a hoard of intrigued men - and women - too amusing to pass up. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to hers gently, the touch quick, but warm. "Maybe two stockpiles."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 30, 2007 15:30:24 GMT -5
Any quirky reply I may have spontaneously used to reply to his sweet jest was lost in his stolen kiss, and I could only press back, shivering a little. I loved the way Decimus kissed my lips, and the way he touched my hair, his smile and his jests. What a beautiful person he was, I mused as I caught my breath back...
"I'll make sure to gain a vested interest in sticks, then, for it seems you are about to make the stick-making industry flourish," I replied, grinning. "Hmmm, maybe I should write to the Dowayne of House Bryony about this..."
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 31, 2007 8:47:52 GMT -5
"Stick-making industry?" I questioned, my smile amused. "If that's the case, then you mayhap be better off purchasing a plot of forest and tending to the tress there."
My eyes twinkled a little and I leaned back comfortably in the seat, my legs sprawled out a little infront of us. "Then again, this will be taking place in Alba, so any land purchasing would have to be done there..." My voice trailed off, feigning as if I were thinking. "Ah, well. Never you fear; my estate there has plenty of trees available for ransacking."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 31, 2007 8:54:43 GMT -5
"Then it's all set," I replied, grinning. "Though I would hate to be responsible for damaging your estate," I said as I leaned a little against him. "Please would you tell me of Alba, the people there, and the customs of old?" I asked, almost childishly.
I was getting curious, more so by the instant, for he was painting images in my head of things that seemed beautiful and cold, a land of greenery and warring ways. It made my mind roam, despite my best efforts.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 31, 2007 9:44:24 GMT -5
As she leaned I let go of her hair, not wishing to pull it on accident, and dropped my fingers to caress her bare shoulder. "Alba is beautiful," I said without hesitation. "Not in the graceful way of Terra d'Ange, but differently, holding its own beauty and glory. When the storms pound, they are fierce. When the sun shines, it is glorious, and when the night comes, it blooms." My fingers trailed along the smoothness of her skin as I thought on my homeland.
"The people are witty and quick on the whole, but like any others they vary. I was destined from birth to be who I am today; a soldier of Alba and the Black Boar there, grandson of Sibeal and Hyacinthe on my maternal side, and of Eurian and Trevoire on my paternal." I smiled, and kissed the top of her head. "Trevoire is whom I gained my title of Duc and the estate in Kusheth from - he was a good man. I was lucky enough to know all four of my grandparents. There are those Albans who don't know where life will take them, and those who have little choice. I happened to be lucky enough to enjoy where my path led me, for I doubt I would be a good fisherman."
I grinned at her, and I swore I could nearly feel the whorls on my face. "Customs vary by the territory, though I do believe it is custom for those of the Black Boar to kiss a beautiful woman if they happen to share a carriage." I grinned again. "And especially if they are on their way to celebrate a marriage."
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 31, 2007 10:05:08 GMT -5
Everything that he said... I heard, the little hairs at the nape of my neck lifting in pleasure and blooming desire under his touch, though it only distracted me a little. I took notes of a lot of things... his lineage, for one, made him almost royal kin, and he was descended from the Master of the Straights. He was a soldier and a Duc. As much as I care little for station, and would have adored him nonetheless, it was an impressive pedigree, and I suppressed a little gasp.
I looked at him, smiling, and said, very softly, "Alba sounds beautiful, truely." I dreamed on it just a split instant, and then told him, smiling, "That is a lot of history, all that you just told me. But I can assure you, were you the poorest and least talented fisherman in Alba and Terre d'Ange both, I would nonetheless pray you kiss me."
There was no lie in all that I said - I thought he was sublime.
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Post by Decimus mab Halcyone on Aug 31, 2007 12:45:50 GMT -5
"And I can assure you," I said as I leaned towards her, "that I am indeed the least talented fisherman in Alba." My wealth I preferred not to speak on, for such things were unbecoming and unflattering, though I understood the base of what she was saying. With that I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her gently, letting the slow, rolling motions of the carriage sway our mouths together.
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Géraldine Grangier
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Post by Géraldine Grangier on Aug 31, 2007 13:39:37 GMT -5
A little chuckle died in his kiss, gentle and tender, and I smiled for it, as our lips met yet again. My patron was a good fisherman, if I was the fish, for he had me seduced entirely, and I found my heart beating a little faster than usual in the pleasure of his kiss. He had a little beard, and that was an additional caress, something a little different and alien that added a small hint of ruggedness to the gentleness of the moment.
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